Mr. April needed in October

Bellinger must regain early-season form for Dodgers to shine

If not for the foul pole that interfered with its trajectory, the baseball looked as if it might vanish into the stratosphere and never come down.

Cody Bellinger walked down the first base line as he admired the object in flight. He defiantly tossed his bat. This was like April all over again. Which, really, is a polite way of saying that his trademark power has disappeared over the last month.

His home run in a 10-inning, 8-7 defeat to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night was Bellinger’s 45th of the season but only his third in his last 27 games. He’s batting .247 over the same period.

The downturn in production has imperiled what felt like a certainty when Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers fractured his kneecap earlier this month — that Bellinger would be named the most valuable player in the National League.

More alarming are the possible postseason implications for the Dodgers, especially with Justin Turner sidelined, Max Muncy only a handful of games into his return from the injured list and Corey Seager still working his way back into rhythm after missing the majority of last year.

The MVP isn’t playing like an MVP.

Bellinger was a nonfactor in the World Series two years ago and a nonfactor in the World Series again last year. Something has to change for the Dodgers to win their first championship in 31 years and Bellinger is the most obvious place to start.

“At the end of the day, that’s why we’re playing the games, for the postseason,” Bellinger said.

Before the come-from-ahead loss to the Rays, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked if he considered